Cleaning tank glass inside and out

[Jill Wright]

Hi all! I'm finally setting up my first ever tank. A 55 gallon. Just ordered my aquarium co-op plants (we won't discuss the amount I spent 🤣) and I'm wanting to clean my glass on the inside and outside. What is the best method to do this? So far, I'm just moving the smudges and steaks around and it doesn't look very nice. Thanks for any help!

 

[Colu]

I use a mag-float magnetic clearer to clean the inside and a micro fiber cloth to clean the out side glass 

Edited August 22, 2021 by Colu

[Jill Wright]

On 8/22/2021 at 2:13 PM, Colu said:

I use a mag-float magnetic clearer to clean the in side and a micro fiber cloth to clean the out side glass 

Great idea, thank you!!

[Patrick_G]

I use mostly paper towels inside and out. I also use a long handled scrubber and a credit card to scrape green spot algae from the inside. 

[Kathy F]

If empty I use 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar.  For filled tanks, I either use a magnet algae cleaner (for heavily planted tanks so I don't damage leaves or disturb plants), for tanks less heavily planted I prefer a handheld razer blade scraper because it is more effective and can get to more spots (just don't use it near the silicone).   For the outside and lids on filled tanks I use my 50/50 mix but be careful not to get the mix directly the plastic hinges on the Versa lids because it wears down the plastic after about a year (learned that lesson the hard way). 

 

Edited August 22, 2021 by Kathy F

[Scott P.]

On the outside I just use a damp paper towel followed by a dry one.

The inside I use a long handled scrubber and an old credit card.

Then follow up with a gravel vac and water change.

[Jill Wright]

On 8/22/2021 at 2:16 PM, Patrick_G said:

I use mostly paper towels inside and out. I also use a long handled scrubber and a credit card to scrape green spot algae from the inside. 

Thank you!

[Jill Wright]

On 8/22/2021 at 2:21 PM, Scott P. said:

On the outside I just use a damp paper towel followed by a dry one.

The inside I use a long handled scrubber and an old credit card.

Then follow up with a gravel vac and water change.

Thank you!

[David W]

For green spot algae and other tough stuff, I use the plastic razor blades. There is much less risk of scratching glass and they are pretty inexpensive on Amazon. 

Edited August 22, 2021 by David W

[Jill Wright]

On 8/22/2021 at 2:19 PM, Kathy F said:

If empty I use 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar.  For filled tanks, I either use a magnet algae cleaner (for heavily planted tanks so I don't damage leaves or disturb plants), for tanks less heavily planted I prefer a handheld razer blade scraper because it is more effective and can get to more spots (just don't use it near the silicone).   For the outside and lids on filled tanks I use my 50/50 mix but be careful not to get the mix directly the plastic hinges on the Versa lids because it wears down the plastic after about a year (learned that lesson the hard way). 

 

Thank you! I'll try your mixture, I don't think I made mine strong enough!

[Jill Wright]

On 8/22/2021 at 2:32 PM, David W said:

For green spot algae and other tough stuff, I use the plastic razor blades. There is much less risk of scratching glass and they are pretty inexpensive on Amazon. 

I'll look them up, I've never even heard of them! Thank you!

[Guppysnail]

I use these outside I wet a corner with a bottle of distilled water so no minerals then wet the tank use dry portion to dry it. Comes out streak free and sparkles. It almost feels like thick paper at first they are wonderful  

Edited August 22, 2021 by Guppysnail

[Jill Wright]

On 8/22/2021 at 2:57 PM, Guppysnail said:

I use these outside I wet a corner with a bottle of distilled water so no minerals then wet the tank use dry portion to dry it. Comes out streak free and sparkles. It almost feels like thick paper at first they are wonderful  

Great! Thanks!!

[ChemBob]

Inside I use an algae sponge on a stick (bought it that way, can't remember what they called it or where I got it). On the outside, either a paper towel or regular towel and RO water in a spray bottle. I have used the vinegar method above for stubborn spots on my lid 

[FishyJames]

I use a green scrubby on the inside and a microfiber rag dampened with glass cleaner on the outside.